Carmelo Anthony: 10 Teams Melo Should Consider Outside of NY Knicks and NJ Nets
The Carmelo Anthony rumors are as hot as ever and with Denver not ready to pull the trigger on a deal, the rumors aren't going to go to rest. Anthony's intentions of where he wants to play have been muddled through reports that he would sign an extension with the New Jersey Nets and other reports that the only place he's willing to sign an extension is if he lands with the New York Knicks.
It doesn't help that Amar'e Stoudemire recently contacted Anthony telling him how much he wants him to come to the Big Apple. If Anthony refuses to sign an extension with the Nets, there's absolutely no way they'll trade for him.
This is a two-team race for Melo, but should it be?
Here's a look at 10 teams not named New York and New Jersey that Melo should consider if he were to become a free agent.
LA Clippers
1 of 10
It's unlikely the Clippers could form a package that would please Denver to bring Melo to LA this season. But if Melo takes his chances and becomes a free agent, the Clippers would be a terrific fit.
Blake Griffin's potential is off the charts and he is the type of big man Melo could win numerous championships with. The idea of competing against the Lakers and battling for who's the best team in LA has to be enticing.
Melo could come into a franchise that is already on the rise and receive the credit for putting them over the top. With Kobe Bryant on his last legs, it would be the perfect time for Melo to come to LA and take over the city.
Charlotte Bobcats
2 of 10
The Bobcats are a team in desperate need of a franchise player. Charlotte has the star appeal with its owner in Michael Jordan, but bringing in a guy to lead the franchise for the next decade is something they lack.
Instead of sharing the limelight with another superstar, Melo would have the Bobcats all to himself. He would get the opportunity to play in the same division as the Miami Heat and try to battle the South Beach trio.
It may seem like a daunting task, but if Melo were up for it and brought a title to Charlotte, he would be idolized forever.
Dallas Mavericks
3 of 10
Assuming the Mavericks fall short again in this year's playoffs, this is a franchise that is starved for a title. Mark Cuban has been trying to bring a title to Dallas for a long time, but the Mavs have never been able to come out on top.
Dirk Nowitzki isn't getting any younger and will be 33 years old next season. Bringing in Melo would take a huge load off of Dirk's shoulders going forward, which could ultimately lengthen his career. Melo would be joining a veteran-laden team that just can't get over the hump.
Playing with Jason Kidd and Dirk—two future Hall of Famers—has to be enticing for Melo. The addition of Melo would make the Mavs title threats over the next three to four years. And who doesn't want to play for the most interesting owner in sports?
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Chicago Bulls
4 of 10
If Melo were to join the Bulls, it would catapult Chicago onto the level of Miami, if not higher. With Derrick Rose running the offense and Carlos Boozer on the block, Melo would be the perfect fit on the wing. Chicago has built a great nucleus, but the Bulls lack a go-to-guy outside of Rose.
As good as Rose is, he can't do it all when it comes to the playoffs. Teams will key on him and force other players to beat them. Think of this core four the Bulls would have if they persuaded Melo to come to Chicago: Rose, Boozer, Joakim Noah and Melo.
The fearsome foursome would make a dynamite combination and there's no telling how many rings they could win together.
Washington Wizards
5 of 10
On paper, the Wizards look like a decent team, but on the court, they haven't been. Washington needs somebody who can help John Wall out going forward. Sorry Rashard Lewis, Andray Blatche and Nick Young—you guys don't cut it.
While Washington isn't the most attractive place to play in right now, it is, after all, the nation's capital. And the Wizards do have a young point guard who looks like the real deal in Wall.
The Wizards are a team in transition, but the addition of Melo would quickly turn things around. Even with Melo, the Wiz would have some work to do, as the roster is far from looking like a championship contender. But he would instantly bring credibility back to the organization and make Washington relevant once again.
Houston Rockets
6 of 10
Another team that lacks a true superstar and needs one. The Rockets have a lot of nice solid pieces on their roster, but no real game-changers.
With Yao Ming's future unknown, it's time for Houston to find a new face of the franchise. The selling point Houston would give Melo is the same Charlotte would: this could be your team the next decade and we want to build around you.
One of the problems with that pitch is it's the same thing Denver offered Melo. Maybe all Melo wants is to throw on a new uniform, drive around in a new city and be with new teammates. That's the Rockets' only hope.
Portland Trail Blazers
7 of 10
The Trail Blazers have fallen back a bit this season due to injuries once again. This time around, injuries have struck Brandon Roy, though. Without a healthy Roy in the lineup every night, the Blazers are a team that will hover around the No. 8 seed in the West.
Portland once had a promising future full of young talented players, but injuries have clouded the future of the organization. There's questions of whether or not Roy will ever return to the same level he was at in prior years.
And you also have Greg Oden, who has had three season-ending injuries in his four years in the league. There isn't a lot of hope in Portland at the moment.
Melo would bring back hope to the organization. They still have key pieces in LaMarcus Aldridge, Wesley Matthews and Marcus Camby.
The addition of Melo, coupled with the return of a healthier Roy, could turn the Blazers into a title contender next season.
Minnesota Timberwolves
8 of 10
Alright, consider this one a bit of a reach before I get started.
The T-Wolves are a franchise that has been a cellar dweller ever since Kevin Garnett was traded to Boston. There hasn't been a reason to be excited about this team for years, but recently that has changed. In his third season, Kevin Love has taken a gigantic jump in terms of production.
Love is averaging over 20 points per game and is almost grabbing 16 rebounds per game, which is easily best in the NBA. Minnesota also has Michael Beasley, who has shown flashes of the brilliance that landed him as a high draft pick.
Do I expect the T-Wolves to sign Melo? No, not a chance.
Melo wouldn't want to go to Minnesota, but basketball wise, the move would make sense. As good as Beasley has been this season at times, he still hasn't been consistent on a nightly basis. Melo would give the Wolves a proven crunch time player that the team desperately needs.
There are a lot of reasons to like this Wolves team and if Melo were to join, it would be just one more.
Utah Jazz
9 of 10
Utah competes on a night-by-night basis with passion, energy and heart. The Jazz are coached by one of the game's best in Jerry Sloan and the Jazz boast a talented roster.
The problem is that the Jazz are always good, but never great. Deron Williams is a fantastic point guard and the front office has surrounded him with quality players, but none of those players are as talented as Melo is.
Until the Jazz surround Williams with a superstar player next to him, they aren't going to win championships in the vaunted West. As good of a PG as Williams is, he can't be the one taking the big shot at the end of the game.
Utah needs a superstar and that's exactly what Melo is.
Milwaukee Bucks
10 of 10
What the Bucks would offer Melo is something that not many teams can: a good center. Andrew Bogut can rebound, block shots and score on the block. Why wouldn't you want to play with him?
That isn't even Milwaukee's best selling point: the honors go to Brandon Jennings. Jennings is a dynamic PG who is awfully hard to guard. He isn't the protoypical PG as far size, considering he only weighs a buck seventy.
But Jennings has shown that his size isn't a problem for him. Another reason Melo should consider the Bucks is because they have a growing fan base that is passionate about the team. Milwaukee isn't New York or even New Jersey.
It doesn't have the bright lights that the bigger cities do, but what it does have is a fan base that supports a losing team. Just think of the support the Bucks would get if they were winning?
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